Vice President Kamala Harris has returned from a secluded six-day stay at a posh Hawaii resort following her defeat in the presidential election.
The Daily Mail reported that Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, took a retreat to recuperate following Harris's crushing loss. They chose the tranquility of the Mauna Kea resort area on Hawaii's Big Island for their getaway.
For their stay, Harris and Emhoff rented a luxurious 5,200-square-foot vacation home. This residence featured five bedrooms and panoramic views of the picturesque northwest coast. The property, boasting a nightly rate of $1,300, promised a serene and exclusive retreat.
Owned by a trust associated with R. Michael Mondavi, son of the famed winegrower Robert Mondavi, the house was not just any vacation spot. It included amenities fit for a gourmet chef, a swimming pool, and a hot tub, enhancing its allure with three complimentary bottles of Mondavi wine for guests.
It seemed that only the finest luxurious could salve Harris's wounds after she was soundly rejected by Americans on November 6th.
During her stay, Harris maintained a notably low profile. Her arrival last Tuesday was marked by the presence of Air Force Two and an impressive motorcade of at least thirty cars, signaling her high-profile status despite the vacation setting. The local police and Secret Service ensured tight security encompassing high-tech surveillance such as drones.
The choice of relaxation spot reflects not just luxury but also seclusion, factors likely appealing to Harris following the hectic election period.
The residence, valued at $7.4 million and originally purchased for $5 million in 2006, provided an ideal backdrop for her time away from the public eye.
Witnesses at Kona International Airport saw a relaxed Harris, who opted for simplicity in a white jacket paired with black pants. As she boarded Air Force Two around 10 AM on Monday, she was seen smiling and waving at onlookers, perhaps rejuvenated by her brief sojourn.
Harris's trip to Hawaii might offer a respite, but it marks a return to a series of political responsibilities and speculations about her career trajectory.
As the President of the Senate, Harris is expected to concentrate on confirming federal judges with the Senate still under Democratic control.
Despite the uncertainty shrouding her political future post-election, Harris has not dismissed the idea of re-entering the presidential race in 2028 or running for California governor in two years. These options suggest that while she recalibrates after the election, her political career is far from over.
The total cost of their retreat amounted to at least $13,500 solely based on the nightly rate of the accommodation, underscoring the lavishness of their chosen sanctuary. This investment into recuperation highlights not just a retreat from politics but an immersion into personal recovery and strategic withdrawal.
Locals like Kandi Jenkins humorously speculated about Harris’s activities, suggesting she was “just resting” versus partaking in more vigorous activities like hiking a volcano.
Others hoped the vice president enjoyed typical Hawaiian delights, like sipping a Mai Tai during her stay.
Patrick Jenkins noted that while luxurious, the home Harris stayed in was "comfortable," but not overwhelmingly majestic. This perspective provides a glimpse into the settings that public figures like Harris choose for personal time away.
The natural beauty of the location was not lost on those familiar with it, like David Appel, who remarked on the unique juxtaposition of the black lava fields against the crystal blue waters and swaying palm trees—a truly idyllic and calming environment fitting for anyone needing rest and rejuvenation.